Spark Plug snapped off whilst being serviced ! D'OH

Thought I would treat the old girl to a service today(The Sportline that is) and an MOT 3 weeks early. Not sure when it was last serviced as the guy I bought it off had only done about 8000 miles in 5 years or so….

Sitting patienly in the reception the guy comes up to me and says there is a problem with the first plug it is so tight it won't budge. Problem being if we push too hard it will snap off so I says go for it and low and be hold snaps straight off….

Now waiting for a call to see how much it is going to cost me..Anyone else had this problem and how much did it cost them ?????

Need to leave it with them for a few days now…AND the suns out…

Cheers

SW_1 said

……… Not sure when it was last serviced ………..

That's the reason why spark plugs need changing regularly, on these cars. Sorry to find out you learnt the hard way. The normal thing to do is drill it out then fit a helicoil, then an oversize spark plug.

why do you need an over sized spark plug paul. the idea of a helicoil is to cut a thread then put another in the form of a helicoil spring to make it the same size as the stock thread.

a stud extractor and some wd40 down the thread will normally remove it with a bit of care. it's rare for the thread to seize more for the top to seize to the block like a normal bolt.

Thanks for the info people I am still waiting for the call from the garage.

Since I have only had the car 6 months I thought there might be a few issues as it was in a garage for 5 years oh well onwards and upwards. I will let you all know the garage cost see what ya think…. I expected to take a bit f a hit for the first service…

all i do is drill the head of the plug off to release the pressure then use a stud extractor to wind the thread out,i break them all the time in ford fiestas and ka's cast iron head which rusts round the plug.
Dont need to helicoil it until all other methods have been tried,ive never helicoiled one yet  :?
Bert

only helicoiled a few of them on 2 strokes. normally after melting a plug to the head. :wink: